Countertop cooking unit and mounting therefor



May 19, 1959 H. M. REEVES COUNTERTOP COOKING UNIT AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed Dec. 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 I I l l u w y 1 1 59 H. REEVES 2,887,103

COUNTERTOP COOKING UNIT AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed Dec. 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

azzmli United States Patent 'COUNTERTDP CUQKING UNIT AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Herbert M. Reeves, Kankakee, 111., assignmto Geo. D. Roper Corporation Application December 15, 1955, Serial No. 553,298

1 Claim. (Cl. 126-214) The invention relates to cooking units of the type adapted to be mounted in the countertop of a cabinet or the like, and more particularly to improved means for securely anchoring such units in place in the countertop.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means for removably securing a cooking unit to a countertop by a clamping action which eliminates a need for screws or other fastening elements that present irregularities in the exposed surface of the unit, which means is universally effective with countertops constructed of sheet metal or of relatively thick wood slabs.

Another object is to provide a cooking unit mounting means of the above general character mountable on the unit in its initial assembly which can be retracted suificiently to enter the opening in the countertop without requiring enlargement of such opening over that dictated by the dimensions of the unit itself, the pre-assembly of the mounting means with the unit materially facilitating installation and eliminating the need for shipment of loose parts.

It is also an object of the invention to provide securing means for countertop mounted cooking units which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to apply and which provides a secure and permanent anchorage of the unit to the countertop.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cooking unit embodying the features of the invention as installed in a countertop forming a part of a kitchen cabinet installation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the cooking unit and countertop taken in a plane substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and showing the securing means in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a vertical plane substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clamping member forming a part of the securing means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the cooking unit installed in a sheet metal countertop.

While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and will be described herein in detail, it is to be understood that this is not intended to limit the inven' tion to the particular form shown, but the intention is to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in appended claim.

I 2,887,103 Patented May 19, 1959 Fig. 2, is one type commonly employed in present day building practice and consists of a relatively thick wood slab base 13 with a plastic or other suitable surfacing composition 14 on its upper face.

The recess or opening 12 in the countertop is shaped and dimensioned to receive the unit which, in this instance, is generally rectangular. When installed, the major portion of the cooking unit is disposed below the surface of the countertop. The controls for the cooking unit 10 are separately mounted or assembled on a panel 15 which may be mounted in any convenient position, as for example, on the front face 16 of the cabinet of which the countertop forms a part.

The cooking unit 10 may take various forms and may be equipped with either gas burners or electrical heating elements. In general, such units are mounted on the countertop by means of a frame structure 20 (Figs. 2 and 5) which may be in the form of a sheet metal stamping. It will be understood that the metal parts of the unit are usually finished with a vitreous enamel coating.

The frame 20, as shown, comprises a horizontally disposed ledge portion 21, extending around a rectangular central opening 22 affording clearance for the burners or heating elements. Preferably the inner marginal edge of the ledge portion 21 is turned down to define a depending flange 23 extending entirely around the opening 22. Around its outer edge, the ledge portion 21 has an integral upright wall portion 19 terminating in an outwardly turned flange 25 dimensioned to overlie the edge of the countertop 11 around the opening 12 therein.

The flange 25 serves to support the frame structure on the countertop with the ledge 21 disposed substantially below the top surface of the counter so that the parts carried on the frame project only a minimum of distance above the surface.

In the particular cooking unit illustrated, the frame 20 supports a top panel 30 corresponding generally to the cooking top of a conventional range. The panel 30,

p which may conveniently comprise a sheet metal stamp- Referring now to the drawings and particularly to ing, is suitably dimensioned and shaped for nesting engagement with the frame 20 and is formed around its outer marginal edge with a depending flange 31 adapted to rest upon the ledge 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. One or more, in this instance two, circular burner wells are provided in the top panel. Each well is defined by a downwardly turned wall 32 terminating at its lower edge in an inturned, annular flange 33. The flange 33 serves as a support for a removable drip pan 34 and for a burner grid 35 associated with the burners of the unit in the usual manner.

Suitable means is provided for shielding the interior of the cabinet from the heat produced in the operation of the cooking unit. As herein shown, this means comprises a series of shields in the form of metal plates 37 and 38 supported in depending relation from the frame 20. The shields 37 at each side of the unit and the shields 38 at the front and back thereof may be hinged tothe frame or may be rigidly secured thereto as desired. In the particular cooking unit illustrated, the side shields 37 are formed with outwardly turned flanges 39 at their upper edges adapted to abut the lower face of the ledge 21, and to be securedthereto as by spot welding.

In accordance with the invention, novel means is provided for attaching the cooking unit to a cabinet counter top so as to retain the unit securely in its proper position and to maintain an eflective seal around the edges of the unit so that it can easily be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. To this end, provision is made for s3 clamping the unit frame to the countertop in a manner such that the flange is pressed firmly against the surface of the countertop to prevent entry thereunder of crumbs or of solid particles or liquid which might be spilled on or used to wash the countertop. To assist in effecting a tight seal, the outer edge of the flange 25 may be turned down to present a sharp edge 25 in a position to bite into the countertop when the frame is clamped in place. It is to be noted that the association of the clamping means with the frame 2 3 is such that the exposed portion of the frame, namely, the flange 25, presents a smooth unbroken surface free of holes, protruding screw heads or other irregularities in which debris might lodge.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the clamping means in its preferred form comprises an L-shaped clamping member 40 having integral rightangularly disposed arms 41 and 42. When installed, the arm 41 is disposed horizontally and the arm 42 extends vertically upward therefrom.

For coaction with an actuating element, in this instance a headed clamping screw or bolt 43, the horizontal arm 41 of the member 40 may be formed intermediate its ends with a threaded opening or preferably fitted with a suitable nut element having a threaded section of substantial length. The exemplary clamping member embodies the latter construction with the nut element in form of an internally threaded sleeve 44. In the particular form shown, sleeve 44 has an integral flange 45 at one end by which it may be spotwelded to the arm 41 as shown in Fig. 4. To enable the clamping member to function in the desired manner, the sleeve 44 is located on the face of the horizontal arm on the same side as the vertical arm 42 with its axis generally parallel to the latter. When the nut element is employed as above described, the arm 41 is formed with a clearance hole 45 in registry with the nut to allow passage of the clamping screw.

As shown in Fig. 2, the clamping screw 43 is inserted through a hole 46 in the ledge portion 21 of the frame 10. The head 47 of the screw is substantially larger than the hole as shown to afford a relatively large contact area with the ledge. It will be understood of course that one of the holes 46 is provided in the ledge for each of the clamping means employed in securing the cooking unit to a countertop. Where the shields are secured to the frame in the manner shown for the shield 37, the flange 39 of the shield is apertured in line with the hole 46.

Referring again to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the clamping member 40 is dimensioned and the nut or sleeve 44 and the clearance hole 46 for the clamping screw are located so that in the clamping position in which the member is shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the vertical arm 42 underlies the outer edge portion of the frame flange 25. Accordingly, by turning the clamping screw, the clamping member may be drawn up into an engagement with the underside of the countertop 11 to securely clamp the flange against the upper face of the countertop.

For most efiicient functioning, the shields 37 and 38 are preferably mounted relatively close to the outer edge of the cooking unit, in this instance below the ledge portion 21 of the frame. This locates the shields quite close to the clamping screws 43 and accordingly each shield is formed with an opening 48 adjacent the clamping screw to afford clearance for the inner end of the clamp arm 41. For convenience in handling and to avoid the bother of shipping loose parts, it is desirable to assemble the clamping means with the cooking unit frame in the initial assembly of the cooking unit at the factory. More particularly it is desirable to insert the clamp screw 43 in the hole 46 and thread it into the clamping member so that it cannot be detached accidentally from the unit.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the dimensions of the clamping member and the associated elements of the cooking unit are coordinated in a manner which permits the unit and attached clamping position, has no part extending outwardly beyond the up right wall 19 of the frame. In the extended or clamping position shown, the vertical clamp arm 42 is located well beyond the edge of the opening 12 in the countertop as before explained. As shown in Fig. 3 the opening 48 in the shield 37 is of sufiicient width to permit the clamping member to be turned between clamping and retractive positions.

To facilitate installation suitable guide means is provided for maintaining the clamping screw 43 in a substantially upright position. Such guide means may conveniently comprise a generally U-shaped bracket 50 having outwardly turned flanges 51 on its legs for attachment to the shield 37 by spot welding or the like as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Preferably, the bracket is dimensioned to substantially restrict swinging of the clamp screw in a fore and aft direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) while permitting limited swinging laterally to facilitate positioning of the clamping member.

Having in mind the construction and relationship of the parts of the cooking unit and clamping means as above described, the manner of installing the cooking unit will be readily apparent. Thus, With the top panel 30 and other parts temporarily removed, the frame 20 is fitted in the opening 12 in the countertop and located in the position which it is to occupy. Before insertion, the several clamping members are turned to the retracted position to clear the edges of the opening. Thereafter the clamping members are turned back to clamping position and the clamping screws 43 turned in the direction to draw the clamping members up against the under side of the countertop. Since the inner end of the horizontal arm 41 of each clamping member extends inwardly through the shield 37 it is readily accessible from above so that the installer can hold it against turning while the screw 43 is turned. By drawing up each of the clamping members, the entire marginal edge of the flange 25 of the cooking top frame may be tightly clamped against the surface of the countertop to effectively seal the joint against the entry of dirt or moisture.

In practice the clamping screw 43 is made sufficiently long and the opening 48 in the shield 37 sufficiently deep to permit the clamping member to be screwed down to clear a countertop constructed of wood as shown in Fig. 2. Likewise, the opening 48 extends upwardly far enough so that the clamping member may be drawn up to engage the underside of a relatively thin countertop as for example, one made of sheet metal as shown in Fig. 5. Thus no distinction need be made at the factory between cooking units on the basis of the type of cabinet in which they are to be installed. Manufacturing economies of course are realized through the use of a single standardized clamping means for all cooking units.

It will also be apparent that the clamping means is, by reason of its simplicity, inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore it is efficient and positive in action and easy to install. The clamping action is particularly advantageous in maintaining the cooking top frame in tight sealing engagement with the countertop so that entry of foreign material between the countertop and the parts of the unit resting thereon is precluded. Deterioration of the unit is thus prevented and it is easy to keep the unit in a clean and sanitary condition.

I claim:

In a cooking unit for mounting in an opening in a countertop, in combination, a sheet metal frame having a flat horizontally disposed ledge portion dimensioned to fit within the opening of the counter-top, an upright wall portion integral with and extending upwardly from the outer edge of said ledge portion, an outwardly turned flange formed at the upper edge of said wall portion dimensioned to overlie the edge of the countertop around the opening therein, a flat sheet metal shield secured to and depending from the ledge portion of the frame adjacent its inner edge, said ledge portion having an aperture located intermediate the shield and the upright Wall, means for releasably securing said frame to the countertop comprising a clamping member having integral horizontal and vertical arms, said horizontal arm having an aperture intermediate its ends, a threaded nut welded to said horizontal arm in registration with the aperture, a headed clamping screw extending through the aperture in said ledge portion of the frame and threading into said nut, said shield having an opening aifording clearance for the end of said horizontal arm remote from the vertical arm,

the opening in said shield being dimensioned to permit the clamping member to be swung between a retracted position in which no part of the member extends substantially beyond said upright wall portion of the frame and an operating position in which said vertical arm underlies the flange of said frame, said screw being operative to draw said clamp member upwardly to engage the upper end of said vertical arm with the underside of the countertop to thereby clamp the flange securely to the countertop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,315,852 Mitchell Sept. 9, 1919 2,063,923 Gries Dec. 15, 1936 2,476,756 Mosher et a1 July 19, 1949 2,551,759 Pence May 8, 1951 2,584,581 Harris Feb. 5, 1952 2,712,818 Chambers July 12, 1955 

